The Northeast Frontier Railway has installed a new system at New Jalpaiguri, the largest station in north Bengal, to get real-time information on trains.

“We have installed a prototype Automatic Train Examination System (ATES) for the first time at the rolling in and rolling out examination point in NJP. It is AI (artificial intelligence) based technology that will examine every train crossing through a particular stretch of the track. The idea is to get real-time
information about trains, including the wheels, the axle box bearings, the doors and other items of the rolling stock,” said Kapinjal Kishore Sharma, the chief public relations officer of Northeast Frontier Railway.

According to him, the ATES unit comprises four cameras and four sensors which are placed on both sides of the track. The moment a train passes through the stretch of the track, the cameras and sensors get activated and monitor every movement of the train.

“The cameras and sensors capture, process, and analyse visual data and the heat registry. In case there is any discrepancy, the system raises an alert and reports are generated. The reports, in turn, are disseminated at quarters concerned, including the loco pilot of the train concerned. A software, along with a data analyser, form the part of the system,” said a source.

For example, the temperature of axle box bearings and wheels are checked. In case it is found that the temperature has exceeded the threshold limit, an alert is raised.

“A similar alert is passed by the system if the visual data grabs a discrepancy like the door of a coach is open or closed or is damaged. Also, sensors will record data on brake binding (a situation when the train’s brake block grips the wheel with excessive force that can damage the wheel),” the source added.

Railway officials said that ATES has been launched in NFR for early detection of faults in trains so that maintenance and repair works can be carried out in due time.

“It will help in enhancing train safety and will reduce the risk of any untoward incident. Also, when a train is on the move, the system will alert the crew and other operators about potential safety hazards,” said an official.

He added that as the
video of each movement of the train would be recorded through the system, railway officials could collate the visual data and draw up plans while carrying out maintenance works of the train at the rolling stockyard.

Sources said that earlier, such a system that was prepared by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited was launched in the central railway zone.

“It will also reduce the time required for manual inspection of coaches and locos. Once the system is fully operational in NJP, there are plans to install it in some other important stretches of the zone,” said a railway official.